Page 191 of Override

His voice is calm, but I hear something beneath it now that I know him. I think. I'm still learning.

My stomach tightens. I take another step. Then another.

His next words stop me completely.

"I’ll take her back to Ronan myself."

The world goes quiet. Not actually.

I can still hear the refrigerator running in the kitchen. A bird is singing somewhere outside. The wooden floor creaks beneath my bare feet when I shift my weight.

But inside me...Nothing.

He is taking me back.

Of course he is. What had I thought was going to happen? That I would live in this little house forever? That Keaton and I would drink coffee and argue about statistics while Bullet threatened to kill Wheels in the kitchen?

My eyes burn. No. I will not cry.

I've cried enough in front of this man.

I take the final few steps into the kitchen.

Keaton is standing at the counter with his back to me.

He's wearing the same black clothes from last night, minus the tactical vest and mask. His hair is a mess.

"You're taking me back?"

Keaton spins around so quickly that his hip slams into the counter.

His eyes find mine.

Whatever Callum is saying disappears when Keaton pulls the phone from his ear and ends the call.

No goodbye. Nothing. He just hangs up on him.

"Maeve."

"You said you're taking me back."

"No."

I blink. "I heard you."

"I know."

"Then why are you saying no?"

"Because that's not what I said." I stare at him. Keaton takes one step toward me, then stops. "I said I would take you back if you chose to go."

Something in my throat locks up. "Why would you give me that choice?"

His brows pull together. "Because it's yours."

The answer comes so easily. As though it should be obvious. As though I should understand. I don't.

I wrap my arms around myself. "Who were you talking to?"